Idrissa Gana Gueye’s incredible impact at Everton this season

National World - LocalTV

Idrissa Gueye’s return to Everton wasn’t meant to be headline news this season—but the veteran midfielder has become one of the club’s standout figures during a crucial campaign under David Moyes. We spoke to LiverpoolWorld’s Will Rooney about Gueye’s form and why it’s made such a difference at Goodison Park.

Transcript

00:00Idrissa Gueye's return to Everton wasn't meant to be headline news this season,

00:08but the veteran midfielder has become one of the club's standout figures

00:12during a crucial campaign under David Moyes.

00:15With his tireless work ethic, positional intelligence and ability to break up play,

00:20Gueye has anchored Everton's midfield with class and composure.

00:25His leadership on and off the pitch has also been key in stabilising the club

00:28during a season of transition.

00:31In a team that needed experience and calm under pressure, Gueye delivered.

00:35The question now is whether he can maintain this standard

00:38and how Everton plan to build around him next season.

00:42We spoke to Liverpool World's Will Rooney about Gueye's form

00:46and why it's made such a difference at Goodison Park.

00:52And well, just looking at a specific player, Idrissa Garner-Gay,

00:55and obviously when he came back to Everton for a great deal in terms of his output since,

01:01he's been fantastic.

01:03What do you sort of make of his season and the last sort of, you know,

01:06since he rejoined the club and how sort of close he is to the fans as well

01:11and how you sort of look at his game and you can tell that he's been at the very,

01:14very top level of football.

01:16And it's been a really, you know, good deal for Everton to have him back in the side.

01:20What's the sort of take on him and his impact and then also his future moving forward?

01:26I think he's had his best season this year.

01:29I think he's been absolutely unbelievable and just got stronger and stronger

01:33as the season wore on.

01:35Maybe he wasn't quite suited to the way Frank Lampard's plays when he was brought in,

01:42but improved on Sean Dyche, excellent last season, this season.

01:46And he's just, it's gone up another notch.

01:49It's almost like, you know, he was brought in as a young student,

01:54just sort of on and up with trajectory.

01:57And, you know, if he was 10 years younger,

01:58you'd be thinking like when he went to PSG, we're going to lose him soon.

02:04Because he's been, he's been that good.

02:06It's just, you know, it's 35, 36.

02:08He never seems to stop.

02:10So energetic.

02:10And I think he almost knows his limitations now and uses them to an advantage.

02:18You know, keeps things simple, doesn't try anything out of the ordinary.

02:23And I think maybe that's why he has taken another step up this season.

02:27Now, can I think keep hold of him?

02:29Because, you know, we've discussed how many players are out of contract in the summer.

02:34David Moyes will want some continuity.

02:36And why wouldn't you want a player who is performing to an exceptional level week in, week out?

02:45The problem that Evan got is, we'll say, you know, links to Saudi Arabia.

02:52Will it just a guy that you want to go out and earn a big payday?

02:56Spend his final days out there.

02:59A little bit of an easier standard.

03:01Well, a much easier standard.

03:03Not take his toll on his body as much.

03:06Means that he can be, you know, carrying on playing for Senegal for a couple more years, potentially.

03:12Or does he commit his future to Everton?

03:14Because he absolutely adores playing at Everton.

03:17He left playing alongside the superstars at PSG to return to Everton.

03:22Because he loves the club that much.

03:24He's said it a few times.

03:27It's just maybe, do Everton look at the wage and think, well, is it worth it or not?

03:32Well, I think, who else do you go and get for a player of that ilk?

03:35I don't think there's a player out there, you know, for another season.

03:40For his wages, there's not another player out there who can do what he does.

03:43So, you'd like to think that Everton can get a deal over the line.

03:47I think it will be in Idrissa Garnagay's course, whether he stays or not.

03:51I think you've got three.

03:53I think you've got Jordan Pickford, who's won it for the last three years.

03:55Again, he's been exceptional between the posts.

03:59He's proven why he's England number one.

04:02He's just a pillar of solidity, someone you can rely on week in, week out.

04:10Idrissa Garnagay in the middle, we discussed before.

04:14Unbelievable.

04:15Having his best season since he returned to Everton, without a doubt.

04:19And Illumina Ndias has enjoyed a really good campaign.

04:22He's had a little bit of a dip of late.

04:24And since David Moyes arrived, Jake O'Brien's been excellent at right bat.

04:28But, yeah, three you're probably looking at between Pickford's Gay and Indy.

04:32I'd say if it was going to put me, I think Pickford might edge it again in terms of the play of the season.

04:40But Garnagay is definitely giving him a run for his money.

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